Legal Research

A challenge for the new year

By Wendy Reynolds

I’m listening to Spark on CBC. Nora Young just wrapped an interview with Clay Shirky. The main topic of discussion was Shirky’s new e-book What Matters Now , and his forthcoming book-book Linchpin: Are you Indispensable?

What Matters Now is an interesting call to action (or at least call to thought).  In the interview,  Shirky explains his motive in giving information away through his blog and other free e-publishing projects.  If you haven’t heard the interview, it’s well worth a listen.

At the end of the talk, Nora Young asked Shirky for a “homework” assignment for listeners.  I was surprised when this leading thinker on Web 2.0 responded that he would ask everyone to send a thank-you note to a coworker – a real note, not an e-mail. On consideration it makes a lot of sense. E-mail is ephemeral, almost meaningless. An actual card or letter requires effort and planning, and carries more intrinsic meaning. A simple gesture that helps to build relationships between colleagues. I like this idea.

If you could assign SLAW readers a homework task for 2010, what would it be?

Full post as published by Slaw.ca on January 03, 2010 (boomark / email).